Some of this month’s inspirational quotations are in my opinion truly inspiring.

Have you ever had a dream only to hear friends, family and colleagues tell you “that’ll never work“, “you could never do that” or “don’t waste your time dreaming – stick to what you know”?

For them what they say is absolutely true because they have no real desire for anything more than they’ve already settled for.

What a waste of life.

Here’s my favourite quotation from this month’s selection: -

“Do just once what others say you can’t do and you will never pay attention to their limitations again”

James R Cook

Please don’t let other people decide how you should live your life. It’s yours to do as you choose. Do the best you can. Chase your dream and make it happen.

There is no limitation to what you can achieve once you have decided to do it.

Take a look at these images and take in the true meaning of the quotes. Spend a few seconds thinking about the words, they should inspire and hopefully motivate you to take action towards your own goals. I truly hope you are working towards creating your own perfect lifestyle – a lifestyle where you are free to choose, to live your life the way you want and not the way some “boss” tells you to live it.

That’s no way to live. We are here just once (as far as I know) and I for one will not waste my life doing what somebody else tells me I should be doing.

Click the two arrows in the bottom right corner to view the full slideshow in Cooliris

I’d love to hear which of these inspiring quotations move you most. Please do enter the conversation below, I’d love to hear from you especially if you found any of them particularly motivational.

Technorati: famous quotations, famous quotes, inspirational, inspirational quotations, inspiring quotations, motivational images

I’m going through changes again. Are they changes I want or are they enforced by outside influences?

That’s a very difficult question to answer. The world is a strange place right now. In fact I cannot recall so many economic problems at once. But the changes I’m going through are actually through choice and the issues over which I have no control have conspired to help me.

I’m one of the few people I know who is pleased with life right now. The downturn is having as much affect on me as any one else – real world business is down, my clients are suffering and I could be fearful of the future – certainly from an income perspective. But…

…this is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. I have some breathing space. I have some time to concentrate on new ventures – on things I’ve been looking to do for so long but just haven’t been able to fit in.

I have a saying I use often – you may have read it here before:

Nothing Changes Without A change

That summarises life for me. Everything changes from the day we are born until the day we die.

But if we don’t make a change the situation remains the same.

And yet, most people fear and resist change.

For me, the changes right now are fantastic. I have no control over the world economy, over banks and their ridiculous attitudes, over stockmarkets or house prices.

SIDENOTE

I saw on the news a couple of days ago that the major UK banks had been scammed out of £ millions. These are “prudent” bankers don’t forget. And then seconds later there was an advert suggesting I might like to get free financial advice from them! I think they’ve done enough damage thank you.

Those changes, however, provide me with opportunity. There is ALWAYS a positive to offset the negative and I ALWAYS focus on that positive.

So it is with a very light heart I move towards 2009 and another change, another chapter perhaps, in my working life.

I prefer to think of these changes as evolution – a flow from one state to another. If you don’t resist and just go with the flow life is so much easier and amazing things happen.

A year a two ago I met a lady named Suzie Cheel from Abundance Highway when we were both starting new businesses. Suzie has just published a new book about this very subject of change. The Emergings Book is her collection of art and words that flow around the sometimes difficult subject of change.

Created originally 21 years ago when Suzie was contemplating a major career change it is as valid today as it was then. The words flow around her paintings – it is more an experience than a book!

Suzie has gone though a number of changes over the past year – the release of this book was in fact as part of a major challenge to complete an unfinished project within a very tight timeframe. 21 years after starting it seems Suzie managed to complete the task in less than 2 months. Clearly she knows something about change!

If you are worried about change or are facing changes that you find uncomfortable then take some time to really focus on the positive side of those changes. Sometimes you need to take inspiration from others – maybe Suzie’s work will be inspiring enough for you to make that change.

Look for the good in every situation – it is there if you look hard enough.

Technorati: change, changes, coping with change, emotional change, life change

I promised to post inspirational and/or soothing videos here from time to time.

Today I’ve stolen my inspiration from Barbara from Goal For The Green. She posts a beautiful video each Wednesday and yesterday’s was just outstanding. I’ve embedded the video below (I’m actually listening to the music as I write this) BUT I strongly recommend you visit Barbara’s blog and sign up to her RSS  feed so you don’t miss her future videos. Every one is outstanding – she must spend all week sourcing those inspirational videos!

Barbara writes about many subjects, although the focus of her blog is on “green” issues. She always has a great angle – but she sees life and the world in much the same way as me.

Technorati: inspirational videos, inspiring, relaxing, soothing

Having a bad day? Things not going to plan? This guy is absolute inspiration.

Listen to his background, the challenges he has overcome and be inspired.

Whatever you face this puts it into perspective. Challenge yourself to overcome any obstacle – keep W Mitchell in mind, I think you’ll find him inspiring:

Goal Setting | Motivation | Frank Furness

Technorati: inspiration, inspiring, overcome obstacles